A 17-year-old student, Lily Boucher Rodriguez, decided to discontinue attending school due to feeling overwhelmed and anxious about being different and facing bullying. She found solace and support at L’Ancre des Jeunes, a community organization in Montreal’s Verdun borough, which offers personalized assistance to help youth re-engage with learning. Rodriguez emphasized the importance of staying on one’s own path to success.
The organization, besides providing homework support, assists teenagers and young adults in re-entering the education system after dropping out. According to data from the public school district, school absenteeism rates have been increasing nationwide, including in Quebec.
Florence Fontaine, a program coordinator, noted that some students who utilize the organization’s services have missed extensive periods of school due to various reasons such as mental health issues, bullying, family problems, or academic struggles. Fontaine highlighted the lack of adaptability in the educational system, which can lead to students becoming demotivated and disengaged from school.
In Montreal, student attendance has declined significantly, with unexcused absences rising by 85% in elementary schools and 108% in high schools between the academic years 2018-2019 and 2024-2025. Excused absences have also shown an increase, indicating challenges in the education system.
Rachelle Doucet, a guidance counselor, mentioned that students are increasingly missing school due to various factors, including anxiety and societal pressures impacting families. She highlighted how the cost of living forces some families to rely on teenage children for financial support, leading to work pressures that can result in school absenteeism.
Professor Steven Shaw from McGill University emphasized the importance of a supportive school environment, mentioning the lack of resources such as school nurses, counselors, and psychologists. Shaw expressed concerns about the education system failing to provide adequate support, especially for children with disabilities.
Data shared by Quebec’s Liberal Party revealed that students with disabilities face service disruptions due to resource shortages, impacting their education. The Quebec Education Ministry acknowledged the challenges faced by students and highlighted efforts to strengthen the education system, including hiring additional support staff.
Community organizations like L’Ancre des Jeunes play a crucial role in supporting students outside the traditional educational system. Shaw emphasized the collective responsibility of families, communities, businesses, and government in ensuring students’ academic success.
Sarah Lavoie, a 16-year-old participant at L’Ancre des Jeunes, shared her journey of overcoming school-related challenges and her aspirations to become an intervention worker to help others. She highlighted the importance of listening and support in the educational journey.